Wastewater treatment is generally something we take for granted as we empty the bath or flush the loo. That is until water utility companies hit the headlines for pollution incidents or rising consumer costs.
As a global sector, the water industry is battling the challenges of aging infrastructure and rising operational costs. These extend from domestic wastewater facilities to the treatment of industrial wastewater - generated by everything from food and chemical production to quarrying.
In parallel, it is a period of heightened scrutiny and increased penalties for underperformance and environmental impact for the sector.
These are familiar challenges to oil and gas, a sector you might better associate MB Air Systems with. However, for wastewater treatment, it is our aeration blowers, not our air compressors that are helping the sector tackle these challenges.
Aeration blowers are mission critical pieces of equipment that ensure the effective treatment of wastewater. Generating air, they transfer oxygen to water and enable aerobic bacteria microorganisms to effectively breakdown organic matter in the water. This promotes uniform treatment, prevents odours, and facilitates the oxidisation of ammonia. They are used throughout the energy intensive wastewater treatment process.
In Scotland alone, our water authority needs approximately 440GWh of electricity to deliver vital services. At a global level, it is estimated that wastewater treatment plants consume up to 3% of all electricity produced. Around 50-60% of this is used to power aeration blowers.
Emissions-wise, the United Nations (UN) reports that wastewater accounts of 1.57% of all global greenhouse gas emissions – only slightly less than the global aviation industry. The environmental impact of such high consumption levels and the rising cost of electricity are unsustainable. Upgrading equipment with better technologies and innovative solutions is essential.
Furthermore, successful aeration is dependent upon the aeration blowers used and it is essential that the blowers used are efficient and fit for purpose. Ineffective aeration is not only costly in terms of energy consumption but can result in poor treatment and failure to comply with environmental regulations.
Delivering solutions
Wastewater treatment is an exciting market for MB Air Systems, one in which we are already seeing the equipment we provide delivering significant cost savings and reducing environmental impact. As an Ingersoll Rand company, we collaborate with partner brands, such as Robuschi, a global leader in the production of aeration blowers.
Technology in this space has advanced massively in recent years, not least with the introduction of turbo blowers. These largely work in the same way as centrifugal blowers but, as their name suggests, at a much higher speed. For example, the Robuschi ROBOX delivers energy savings of up to 40%. They are also quieter, have a wider range of operation, are designed for easy installation, are less maintenance intensive, and have a more compact footprint than the incumbent rotary lobe blowers.
Turbo blowers are not only creating operational efficiencies but reducing maintenance costs and improving treatment efficiency. At MB Air Systems, we see them as essential to the sustainability of wastewater treatment globally.
There is still a lot of work to be done, from tackling aging infrastructure on our doorsteps to supporting infrastructure commissioning in emerging markets. Around the world, 42% of household and 63% of industrial wastewater is not correctly treated. This is damaging the environment and human health.
MB Air Systems supports a number of sectors under increasing pressure to improve sustainability and reduce emissions. This is achieved by delivering products and services that reduce electricity consumption without impacting operational integrity, all while still reducing costs and environmental impact.
To learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly at dtritton@mbairsystems.co.uk